ORGANISERS’ of East Lancashire’s biggest bonfire are praying for good weather on Saturday as they bid to break their £15,000 charity fundraising record.

Last year the heavens opened at Blackburn’s Witton Park, halving the normal attendance of 20,000.

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Although they still raised £10,000, organiser Norman Walker hopes the five-hour entertainment extravaganza at Witton Country Park will be blessed by clear skies and good weather.

Already Clitheroe’s bonfire, held on Saturday, has been a huge success with crowds turning out in force to watch.

The Witton Park event starts at 5pm with a full funfair, a stage for music and entertainment, food and stalls.

At 7pm the big bonfire will be lit with a £5,000 firework display launched at 8pm. The event is organised jointly by Blackburn’s Lions, Rotary, and Round Table charity fundraising groups.

It is sponsored by Witton Park Academy and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Those who attend are banned from bringing in alcohol or fireworks of their own.

Mr Walker said: “This organised bonfire provides local families with an opportunity to, not only have a really fun time out and see some amazing fireworks, but most importantly do this in an extremely safe way.

“We believe this five year-old joint event is the biggest bonfire not just in Blackburn but East Lancashire.

“We hope to have 20,000 people there and break our own fundraising record of £15,000 for the night.

“Last year the heavens opened and it poured down but we still had 10,000 loyal supporters come and we still raised £10,000.

“If that many come on a night like that, we are confident if the weather holds we will get our usual 20,000 people attending and break out own record for raising £15,000 for charity.

“It’s great night out with a full funfair with rides, stalls and local entertainment and music acts for which the bookings are being finalised.

“We have security so people cannot bring in their own fireworks or alcohol to make it a really safe occasion for adults and children.

Tickets are £2 for adults, £1 for children and £5 for families of up to two adults and four children. The charities being supported are addiction support group Lifeline, The Samaritans and the NSPCC.